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keinangst
May 3, 2005, 10:05 PM
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Sorry for the vocab word in the topic..."stupid" and "sucks" are becoming a little too cliched, and I was hoping to pre-screen out the people who didn't care to really elaborate on this.
I've been a subscriber for about 6 months now, and I'd like to get a perspective on this, maybe some validation that I'm not insane.
Outside magazine consists of the following 4 elements, in varying combinations:
1. Maxim-like "sex sells" photos/articles that are barely relevant to the magazine (eg Gabi Reece with a chainsaw cover, Sara Carlsson naked, etc)
2. Strongly anti-right-wing political commentary, that ranges from thinly veiled to inflammatory. This is usually wrapped up under the guise of pro-environmentalism, which is great in and of itself...but it's usually a foot-in-the-door for some hatred-filled rant.
3. Excessively long, aggrandizing/idolizing write-ups on respected outdoor figures that border on editorial handjobs.
4. Lots of advertising, including many insertions from companies that would otherwise be slammed in editorial content (eg, an anti-SUV treatise followed by a Pathfinder ad; BF/Goodrich & Hummer H2 ads; with many etc)
I have never before read a magazine that made me feel dumber and angrier at the same time--and I read a lot of magazines. It just seems to me that these guys are missing the mark somewhere, probably from trying to be everything to everyone (Backpacker, Climbing, SI and The Atlantic Monthly all rolled into one)
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tallnik
May 3, 2005, 10:16 PM
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I stopped reading it a year and a half ago, mainly because I wanted a more focussed magazine. As you said, it tries to cover too much of everything. However, back then it was still a great mag.
My roomate works at a bookstore, and there he reads outside occasionally and he's been bitching about the same things you mentioned. Minus the complaint about the Right... environmentalists hate the right: maybe the two themes of anti-right and environmentalism are combined in the articles?
Nik
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the_tall_guy
May 3, 2005, 10:30 PM
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I got a subscription last year to support a friend's kid--some fund raising thing. I, too, have found the mag to be REALLY annoying for all the reasons you listed. I'll not be renewing my subscription. The "dude," "cred" language I find especially irksome along with the MTV-esque graphic/layout. To its credit, there is usually one or two pretty good articles per issue--if you can wade through all the crap to get there. I won't miss it in my mailbox.
Cheers,
Scott
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macherry
May 3, 2005, 10:37 PM
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i use to read outside years ago. I have some old issues hanging around the house...10/15/ yr. anniversary issues.
The articles were more interesting and varied years back
Now, it's just a glorified GQ mag for the city wannabee outdoor type.
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dingus
May 3, 2005, 10:50 PM
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Yes. Always.
DMT
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drrock
May 3, 2005, 10:53 PM
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edit
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lardbutt
May 3, 2005, 11:00 PM
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The most depressing thing about outside magazine's success (circulation was around 500,000 a few years ago) is just that - its' success. It makes you realize how many dorks there are out there.
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thegreytradster
May 3, 2005, 11:12 PM
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In reply to: Outside Magazine always been so vacuous?
Yes!
The only time I ever read it is when I'm geting a hair cut and forgot my own reading material.
Usualy the hairdresser can't figure out why I'm snickering.
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scotchie
May 3, 2005, 11:14 PM
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Outside mag has definitely gone downhill in the last couple years.
Don't forget "The world's top 100 outdoor vacation spots". I think this article appears every month now...
I like the idea of having a single magazine that covers every outdoor sport. That way I don't have to have separate subscriptions to Climbing, Backpacking, Mountain Bike, etc... Plus I can get info on outdoor sports I'm not normally into but might want to try.
Outside has been forgetting to put useful, informative content into the articles, that's all.
Any suggestions for a better magazine to switch to?
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slobmonster
May 4, 2005, 1:48 AM
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In reply to: Any suggestions for a better magazine to switch to?
The New Yorker
The Economist
Adbusters
and, last but not least,
Alpinist
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jgill
May 4, 2005, 1:58 AM
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I agree about The New Yorker. I've been a subscriber off and on for 40 years. It rarely disappoints. Bruce McCall is a true prophet! 8^)
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coldclimb
May 4, 2005, 2:03 AM
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I've always stopped at the cover, with Outside. I've never seen naked women in sexy poses while I'm out climbing, so I can tell right away that the content of the mag is not relevant to the outdoor activities I participate in. They also never replied to an e-mail I sent asking if they would like to use my photos. The least you should do is turn me down like most everyone else, guys. ;) :lol: :lol:
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nmoroder
May 4, 2005, 3:11 AM
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I got a free subscription a year ago and have done nothing but bitch about it since the first one arrived in my mailbox. My roommate can testify to this. What crap.
"Outside Style"
........F*%CKING idiots.......
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gumbobob
May 4, 2005, 3:14 AM
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coldclimb wrote:
I've never seen naked women in sexy poses while I'm out climbing, so I can tell right away that the content of the mag is not relevant to the outdoor activities I participate in.
You're participating in the wrong activity! :wink:
as to the vitriol against the right--the minute we stop fighting is the minute they re-elect a phony private-school educated "plain-spoken rancher" to a second term of wrecking the economy, environment and...oh...whoops.
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andrewbanandrew
May 4, 2005, 5:41 AM
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I think they went downhill right about the time clothing models became a regular feature.
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cgailey
May 4, 2005, 8:15 AM
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Shall I play devil's advocate?...nah, I don't have the energy and that piece of butt wipe magazine isn't even worth the sarcasm.
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brent_e
May 4, 2005, 11:31 AM
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i loved that mag a couple years ago mostly because of "the hard way" by mark jenkins. Now that column is not in every issue and, as mentioned by another, i wanted a more specific mag.
I agree with your 4 points. It seems to have become a mag for the purpose of selling swag. Too bad. there is always gripped!!!!
Brent
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joshportell
May 4, 2005, 12:17 PM
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We tried to cancel, it just keeps coming unfortunatly. :cry:
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smearhound
May 4, 2005, 12:53 PM
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I got a free subscription from Mountain Gear after buying a bunch of stuff last December. What a waste of paper. Every couple of issues I find one 300-word blurb that might have something relevant but otherwise Outside is awful. The sexism, the egregious ad campaigns, the misinformed training ideas for climbing, not to mention what has already been said. The naked woman on the cover of the issue purporting to concern female rock climbers was particularly insulting. Give me a bird cage to line.
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yomomma
May 4, 2005, 1:11 PM
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In reply to: Strongly anti-right-wing political commentary, that ranges from thinly veiled to inflammatory. This is usually wrapped up under the guise of pro-environmentalism, which is great in and of itself...but it's usually a foot-in-the-door for some hatred-filled rant.
...and the problem with that is?
Have you checked out Rural Climber? Awesome mag.
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mrtropy
May 4, 2005, 1:18 PM
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I agree what is wrong with this?
OUOTE
2. Strongly anti-right-wing political commentary, that ranges from thinly veiled to inflammatory. This is usually wrapped up under the guise of pro-environmentalism, which is great in and of itself...but it's usually a foot-in-the-door for some hatred-filled rant.
A decade ago it was better but every now and then they print something worth reading.
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deschamps1000
May 4, 2005, 1:27 PM
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I agree. Outside is bad.
It seems to be more of an "image" mag than anything. It uses a lot of sex to sell. I also feel like lately it's become an "outdoor" fashion mag too. Outside is a horrible magazine. It used to be good but seems to have become very yuppified, and now caters to a high-income population still trying to pretend they "rough it" sometimes.
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j_ung
May 4, 2005, 1:29 PM
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In reply to: In reply to: Outside Magazine always been so vacuous? Yes! The only time I ever read it is when I'm geting a hair cut and forgot my own reading material. Usualy the hairdresser can't figure out why I'm snickering.
Metrosexual alert! :P
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taualum23
May 4, 2005, 1:33 PM
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I got a free subscription from one of the organizations I donate to. It comes and every mornth I open the cover with a silent prayer that this month won't suck. I would love for it to be the magazine I wish existed, but alas, it does not.
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mtnbkrxtrordnair
May 4, 2005, 1:43 PM
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In reply to: Any suggestions for a better magazine to switch to?
Try Nat. Geographic Adventure, It's pretty good. Has a good mix of outdoor activities. Any opinions about it out there?
I agree about Outside, I used to read it years ago. It had some interesting articles once in a while. That recent issue with the naked climbing chicks-how freaking lame.
For a mtn. bike mag, try Dirt Rag, it rules.
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